“The federal government failed to pass a budget, shutting down operations nationwide,” said San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Terra Lawson-Remer in a statement. “CalFresh benefits will not be reloaded on Nov. 1. Governor Newsom has deployed the National Guard and directed additional funding to food banks to help families keep food on the table.”
CalFresh - California’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - is fully funded through the federal government. Without new appropriations, states cannot continue issuing benefits. While households with remaining balances on their EBT cards can still use them, the length of the delay for new benefits remains uncertain and will depend on how quickly the federal government reopens.
Nonprofits, local businesses, and community groups across San Diego are mobilizing to meet the surge in need. Feeding San Diego, one of the county’s largest hunger-relief organizations, issued a public alert describing the situation as an “urgent hunger crisis”. The nonprofit will host an emergency food distribution on Friday, November 1, at its Sorrento Valley headquarters, with no registration required. An anonymous donor has pledged to match up to $250,000 in community donations to help fund the response.
Jewish Family Service (JFS) has also expanded operations, distributing boxes of fresh produce and pantry staples through its weekly drive-through food distributions in Kearny Mesa. The organization reported a 42% increase in households served between the second and third weeks of October. “Unfortunately, we don’t have a resolution timeline,” said JFS’s Tom Stewart, “but we’re doing everything possible to ensure no one is forgotten.”
In Encinitas, Coastal Roots Farm continues offering fresh produce to low-income residents through its Pay-What-You-Can Farm Stand, while in Chula Vista, 3N1 Sports Bar, West Coast BBQ Shop, and EastLake Food To Go are collaborating to host a free Thanksgiving dinner on November 25 for community members struggling during the shutdown.
Other local businesses are stepping in as well. Burger Kook in Bonita has begun giving away 50 free burgers every Tuesday to the first 50 guests, citing “tough times and federal workers not being paid,” and Ming’s Revolving Sushi Baris offering free meals to active-duty military members and their families throughout the shutdown.
San Diegans in need of groceries can access a variety of community food resources, including Feeding San Diego’s interactive “Find Food Map,” which helps locate free local food distributions. The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank offers a similar tool listing food pantries countywide. Residents can also call 2-1-1 San Diego or visit 211sandiego.org for information on the nearest food distribution sites and eligibility assistance. The County’s Self-Sufficiency Services Access Call Center will also operate extended hours on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 7am to 3pm, at 1-866-262-9881 to answer benefit-related questions.
In total, nearly 240,000 San Diego County households depend on CalFresh to buy groceries. For a family of four, eligibility requires earning less than about $5,360 per month. While CalWORKs cash assistance remains unaffected, county officials are urging anyone impacted by the CalFresh delay to immediately seek local food support.
“This is an incredibly difficult situation,” Lawson-Remer added. “But our community has always shown up for one another - and right now, we need that San Diego spirit more than ever.”
Originally published on October 30, 2025.
